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exhilaration

noun

ig-ˌzi-lə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exhilaration (audio)
Definition of exhilarationnext
1
as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings the lavish spectacle results in one exhilaration after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion the exhilaration of victory that spectators get to witness at the Olympic Games

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exhilaration Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomáš Hertl roared in exhilaration. — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 June 2026 Only a few will experience the exhilaration of victory. — Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026 Nguyen tenderly captures the lightness, freedom and exhilaration of being in water and reigning over the waves, rules of gravity be damned. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 13 May 2026 Pumping iron, and apparently the exhilaration of combat, has got this 67-year-old plenty revved up. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhilaration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilaration
  1. thrill
  2. ecstasy
  3. kick
  4. joy
  5. elation
  6. happiness
  7. euphoria
  8. heaven
Noun
  • These are primal thrills most viewers can get behind, and having to slow down to explain the morality behind them makes for languid viewing.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But even as she and Tabitha are drawn into such dalliances and then bruised by them, the movie is less interested in passing judgment than in conjuring the freshman thrill of being young, curious and unguarded.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of thrill
Noun
  • In the space of a few paragraphs, Ned will abandon and recover his child, bungle an extramarital affair, win and lose, experience ecstasy and dejection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • When the cameras spanned the crowd, there was ecstasy everywhere.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of ecstasy
Noun
  • The Knights were forced to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Stone, his third kick of the game.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Catch us whipping up this tangy version with goat cheese that delivers a slight kick.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of kick
Noun
  • And in a 2024 interview with Byrdie, Williams was asked what has brought her the most joy in her life.
    — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Bradley Cooper’s Ocean’s Eleven prequel, also starring Cooper himself, Margot Robbie, George MacKay, Wagner Moura, Monica Barbaro, Josh Gad and Omar Sy, has been a real shot of joy in the arm.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • And just like in the original movie, there was disappointment along with elation.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2026
  • It is disjointed beyond belief, a wrestling match between dismay and elation.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of elation
Noun
  • Vacation photos emphasize happiness even when the experience was stressful.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Love is actually heartbreak, pain, anguish, but the myth of love is happiness and joy.
    — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • Workers age 55 and older are leaving the labor force at a rapid pace, government data shows, a trend that coincides with ballooning stock wealth fueled by euphoria over artificial intelligence.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Ole Miss built a 24-7 lead at halftime, sending the crowd into near fits of euphoria.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of euphoria
Noun
  • This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heaven

Browse Nearby Words

exhilarating
exhilaration
exhilarations
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Cite this Entry

“Exhilaration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilaration. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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